Berlin: Lessons We Should Have Learned

How many times have we heard about the importance of learning from history, yet, we continue to witness, our failure, to do so, in a relevant, sustainable, significant manner? The lessons we should have learned, from looking at the history and events related to Berlin, and Germany, as a whole, should make us more alert, and prepared to do, whatever is necessary, to protect our rights, freedoms, and liberties, which Americans, take for granted. Merely looking at the history and events of the twentieth century, provides many lessons, which, if we were wiser, would change many perceptions, and reduce much of the apathy. This article will attempt to briefly review and consider two events, the Hitler era, and the Cold War, Berlin Wall, period, and do so, focusing on the valuable knowledge and wisdom, we should have gained, and benefited from, rather than making the same, or similar mistakes.
1. The Hitler period: What propelled Hitler to power, and why were so many, willing to follow him? Driven by a combination of resentment and nationalism after World War 1, he appealed to the so - called, darker side of human nature, and articulated a fear - driven, biased message, pitting one segment of German society, against another. He gradually got rid of his opponents, and anointed himself, as dictator. He transformed a democracy to a dictatorship, by using populist, negative, rhetoric, and, although his Third Reich, which was supposed to continue, for at least a thousand years, only remained in power for less than fifteen years, most consider them, to be, the darkest, in recent history. The eventual, killing of over 6 million innocent people, created an awful Holocaust. Americans should be alarmed by recent events, including more hate crimes, neo - Nazi pronouncements, and the election of a populist President, who appears to threaten anyone, who opposes or disagrees. The United States, was created, based on liberties and justice, for all, and, although President Trump, seems to believe, he deserves personal allegiance, because of his position, that is not, the American way. Germany has recognized the implications of the past, and focuses on protecting rights.
2. Berlin Wall and Cold War: After World War 2, the Allied Forces, and Russia/ USSR, divided Germany into East and West, and each claimed a sector. Probably, because of how many from the East sought to go to the West, in 1961, in the middle of the night, Russia built the Berlin Wall. Even after that, about 150 people were killed, attempting to escape. After the nation, and. city, was unified, around 1989, Germany flourished, and Berlin became a dynamic, modern, progressive city. Rather than learning, walls are rarely a solution, President Trump, has sought to attract followers with rhetoric and vitriol, and used building a southern wall, as a hate - filled symbol, for them, to unite around.
Modern day, Germany, recognizes the need to protect their democracy, focus on sustainable, economic and environmental policy, and learn important lessons from history. Many fear, under our present leadership, the United States, has not, and there will be unfortunate ramifications.
Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands of leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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